Recoil reducer

ABSTRACT

A recoil reducing device that reduces the recoil felt by users of rifles and shotguns. The recoil reducing device includes of a force-distribution member that increases the area over which the recoil force is distributed, thereby reducing the force per unit area, and a compressible element that cushions the user from the force of recoil. The force-distribution member can include tabs along its edges. Any number of the tabs may be bent outward, relative to the shoulder of the user to better form the recoil reducing device to the user. Also alternatively, the force-distribution member can include a plurality of grooves along a portion of its edge, and can also include interior cuts within.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. provisionalapplication entitled, “Recoil-Reducer,” having Ser. No. 60/759,816,filed Jan. 17^(th), 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of copendingU.S. patent application entitled, “Recoil-Reducer,” having Ser. No.11/172,311, filed on Jun. 28th, 2005, which claimed the benefit of U.S.provisional application entitled, “Recoil Protector,” having Ser. No.60/583,546, filed Jun. 29, 2004, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to recoil-reducing devices, andspecifically to an improved recoil reducing device for users of shouldermounted firearms.

2. Background

A basic law of physics can be paraphrased as: “For every action there isan equal and opposite reaction”. In the case where force is applied toaccelerate an object in one direction, an equal force occurs in theopposite direction. One manifestation of this phenomenon is the recoilfelt by users of rifles and shotguns, hereinafter referred to as feltrecoil. The recoil felt by rifle and shotgun users, or shooters, as itincreases, progresses from uncomfortable to painful, and frequentlyleads to an undesirable and uncontrollable habit of “flinching”. Feltrecoil becomes increasingly detrimental to shooters as the weight andvelocity of the projectile increases, particularly when high-poweredloads are used in relatively lightweight rifles and shotguns,hereinafter referred to as longarms.

For many years, shooters have used various means to reduce felt recoil.These have mostly involved attaching compressible pads to the ends oflongarm butt stocks. Early recoil pads typically consisted of solidrubber that provided a cushion against the force of recoil. However,solid rubber recoil pads suffer from disadvantages such as the limitedamount of reduction of felt recoil. Furthermore, solid rubber recoilpads may gradually degrade over time, thereby reducing theireffectiveness, which results in an increase in the felt recoil as thesolid rubber recoil pad degrades. In addition, solid rubber recoil padsprovide secondary recoil, which is caused by the pads expanding afterbeing compressed by the initial recoil.

The development of vented rubber recoil pads represented a limited, butsignificant, improvement over the solid rubber pads, in terms of feltrecoil. Vented rubber recoil pads have an open, thin-walled structurewhich provides for greater compressibility, and hence, greatercushioning against the force of recoil. However, the tendency towardloss of elasticity and secondary recoil remained.

Similarly, recoil reduction has also been achieved through variousmethods placing compressible pads between the butt stock and theshooter's shoulder. This technique provides the benefit of compound feltrecoil reduction when used with pads fixed to the butt stock. However,it possesses the same limitations as devices attached to the butt stock.

With the development of new materials, other components, such as foamsand gels have been utilized to cushion the shooter from the recoilforce. Improvements due to improved cushioning have been incremental.Prior solutions have not filled the need for an improved recoil-reducingdevice for longarm users with a high level of need, such as those whouse high-powered calibers or carry out highly repetitive shootingsports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of a recoil-reducerof the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a pouch enclosing the recoil-reduceraccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the recoil reducer attached to the butt stock of a longarmaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of components of therecoil-reducer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view, seen from the side, of a preferredembodiment of a recoil-reducer system.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of aforce-distribution member of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of aforce-distribution member of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of a force-distribution member configured toconform to a user's shoulder.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a recoil-reducer configured to a user'sshoulder, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a force-distribution member with a surfacearea less than that of a compressible member, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of a force-distribution member with a surfacearea greater than that of a compressible member, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows cross-sectional view, seen from above, of a forcedistribution member with two compressible members with differing sizeand shape, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of a recoil-reducer100, or recoil reducing device. In one embodiment, a user 102, alsoreferred to herein as a shooter, disposes the recoil-reducer 100 over acushioned portion 104 of the user's shoulder. The cushioned portion is aspecific area of the user's front side 106, which is proximal to auser's shooting shoulder 108. As shown in FIG. 3, the recoil reducerreceives a butt stock end 109B. The butt stock end is the terminalportion of a longarm's butt stock 109. In an operable position 1000, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the recoil-reducer 100 interposes the longarm'sbutt stock 109, and the cushioned portion 104. A butt stock surface area110 is the approximate surface area of any given butt stock end 109B,projected onto the recoil-reducer 100. The butt stock surface area 110is approximated in FIG. 1, as the area enclosed by a heavy dashed line.It should be noted that the surface area of the recoil-reducer 100 ispreferably larger than the butt stock surface area 110, as representedby the heavy dashed line.

Referring to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the recoil-reducer 100 is contained within a pouch 112. The pouch 112 isconfigured receive the recoil-reducer 100. The pouch 112 can also serveto contain, support, and secure the recoil-reducer 100 in the operableposition 1000, over the cushioned portion 104 of the user's shootingshoulder 108.

The pouch 112 can be adapted to couple to clothing of the shooter 102.For example, the pouch 112 might include fasteners such as, but notlimited to, Velcro®, snaps, buckles and buttons, for coupling the pouchto clothing. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,115 the pouch 112 canbe coupled to a pouch-suspension (not shown). Typically, thepouch-suspension is configured to support the pouch 112 in the desiredposition on the user 102. Alternative pouch-suspensions include straps,harnesses, and articles of clothing. Preferably, these straps, harnessand/or other pouch-suspension measures may be adjusted to support thepouch 112 in the desired position of the shooter 102.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, therecoil-reducer 100 can be removably attached to the longarm's butt stock109. In use, the shooter 102 brings the longarm's butt stock upward tobrace against the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter's front side 106.Thus, in operable position, the recoil-reducer 100 is disposed overcushioned portion 104 by the shooter 102 placing the longarm's buttstock in shooting position.

FIG. 3 demonstrates an additional embodiment of the present invention,wherein the recoil reducer 100 can be removably attached to the buttstock end 109B, the recoil imparting end of the longarm's butt stock109, via a coupling device 113. In operation, the shooter 102 brings thebutt stock 109 with attached recoil reducer 100 upward to brace againstthe cushioned portion 104 of the shooter's front side 106. Thus, in theoperable position 1000, the recoil-reducer 100 is disposed over thecushioned portion 104 by the shooter 102 placing the longarm's buttstock in shooting position. The coupling device can be removablyattached to the longarm's butt stock.

In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, therecoil-reducer 100, which is designed to fit on the front of the user'sshooting shoulder 108, can be placed in a pocket that is integrated witha garment. Thus, the garment functions as the pouch and pouch-suspender.In a further embodiment, the recoil reducer 100 or pouch 112 containinga recoil reducer 100 may be held in place by the shooter 102, betweenthe butt stock of the longarm and the cushioned portion 104 of theshooter.

When the shooter 102 wears a pouch 112 that is maintained in the desiredposition by a suspension, the pouch 112 containing the recoil reducer100 is disposed over the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter 102.Further embodiments include garments with pockets and/or otherintegrated systems that secure the pouch 112 containing a recoil reducer100 over the cushioned portion 104 of the shooter 102.

Among other things, the pouch 112 may have open, or fastenablecompartments, or permanently fastened compartments for holding therecoil-reducer 100. The pouch 112 with open or fastenable compartmentsallows the user to interchange recoil reducers 100 with different recoildampening characteristics depending on the individual's needs.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recoil reducer100 is covered with protective material, including but not limited tocanvas, nylon or leather; thus, the cover is considered an integral partof the recoil reducer 100. The recoil reducer 100 is uncovered inalternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the recoil-reducer 100 in explodedview. The recoil-reducer 100 includes a force-distribution member 114,and a compressible member 118. Typically, the force-distribution member114 is coupled to the compressible member 118 by a coupler 1111. Thecoupler may be an adhesive, such as glue, or by mechanical fastenersincluding but not limited to Velcro or elastic straps. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention the coupler 1111 may adhere anentire side of the force distribution member 114 to an entire side ofthe compressible member 118. In an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention the coupler 1111 may adhere a portion of the forcedistribution member 114 to a portion of the compressible member 118.

In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, theforce-distribution member 114 and the compressible member 118 need notbe coupled together. For example, in one alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, the pouch 112 may receive the force-distributionmember 114 and the compressible member 118, and the pouch 112 may beconfigured to hold and/or align the force-distribution member 114 andthe compressible member 118 in a predetermined relative position.Typically, the pouch 112 may hold and/or align the force-distributionmember 114 and the compressible member 118 such that there is little, orno, relative motion between the force-distribution member 114 and thecompressible member 118.

The force-distribution member 114 is comprised of rigid or semi-rigidmaterial capable of withstanding, with virtually no plastic deformationor compression, the impulse caused by the discharging of a longarmagainst the force-distribution member 114. The force-distribution member114 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including, but notlimited to, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyethylenethermoplastics. As a non-limiting example, the force-distribution member114 is made from Lexan by General Electric Plastics such as Lexan 9030or Lexan 9034, which both have a Flexural Modulus of 345,000 pounds persquare inch (psi) as measured by the American National StandardsInstitute ASTM D790 test (D790). Additional suitable materials for theforce-distribution member 114 include, but are not limited to; hardrubber, hard neoprene, aluminum, and steel. Typically, theforce-distribution member is made from a material having a D790 flexuralmodulus of less than 15,000 psi to 700,000 psi or more.

The material specifications can be varied, while using the same basicprinciples to meet a broad array of applications. For instance, in thecase of skeet shooting competition the firearms may recoil with aslittle as 5 ft/lb of recoil energy. However, the skeet shooter must movewhile shooting and is often required to fire a hundreds of shots in thecourse of a day's competition, thus, a thinner more flexibleforce-distribution member 114 would be desirable to facilitate ease ofmovement while still retaining perceivable recoil dampeningcharacteristics. Conversely, shooters who fire heavy recoiling firearms(sometimes in excess of 200 ft/lb of recoil energy per shot in the caseof 4 bore rifles) will require greater rigidity in theforce-distribution member 114. The flexibility, and consequent recoildistributing characteristics, of the force-distribution member 114 canbe controlled by using materials listed above, in thicknesses rangingapproximately from 0.015 inch to 1.0 inch. The thickness can also bevaried across the force-distribution member 114 to achieve desiredflexing and recoil dispersing characteristics for given applications.The terms “approximately,” “generally” and “substantially” are usedherein to refer to a range of values or relative orientations,understood by a person skilled in the pertinent field or skill, as beingsubstantially equivalent to the herein stated values, orientations orpositions in achieving the desired results, in a range typical to theaccuracy and precision of conventional tooling, instrumentation ortechniques, or a functionally equivalent positioning or orientation offeatures to produce equivalent results to those described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a recoil reducer system100. The recoil reducer 100 includes a first force-distribution member1014, a second force-distribution member 1015, a first compressiblemember 1018, and a second compressible member 1019. In the illustratedembodiment of the present invention, the force-distribution members andthe compressible members are disposed in alternating layers. The firstdistribution member 1014 abuts the first compressible member 1018. Thefirst compressible member 1018 is sandwiched between the firstdistribution member 1014 and the second force-distribution member 1015,which abuts the first compressible member 1018. The secondforce-distribution member 1015 is sandwiched by the first compressiblemember 1018 and the second compressible member 1019, both of which abutthe second force-distribution member 1015.

It should be noted that FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. In other embodiments, a recoil-reducer mayinclude additional force-distribution members and/or additionalcompressible members. Typically, force-distribution members andcompressible members may be added in pairs. However, in some alternativeembodiments, the number of compressible members and the number offorce-distribution members may not be the same. Furthermore, in apreferred embodiment of the present invention, a recoil-reducer mayinclude up to ten or more force-distribution members alternating withten or more compressible elements. In additional alternative embodimentsof the present invention many multiple force distribution members and/orcompressible members can be employed. Each of the many multiple forcedistribution members may be of the same size, shape, thickness, andmaterial composition. Additionally, each of the many multiplecompressible members may be of the same size, shape, thickness, andmaterial composition. In an alternative of the present invention each ofthe many multiple force distribution members may be dissimilar in size,shape, thickness, and material composition. In an alternative of thepresent invention, each of the many multiple compressible members may bedissimilar in size, shape, thickness, and material composition.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a force-distributionmember 1114 having a front surface 1115 and plurality of grooves (orcuts) 1116 forming a plurality of tabs 1117. The grooves (or cuts) 1116may be formed in the force-distribution member 1114 so as to control theflexing and recoil distribution characteristics of theforce-distribution member 1114. In some embodiments, the grooves (orcuts) 1116 may be formed through the thickness of the force-distributionmember 1114. In other embodiments, the grooves (or cuts 1116) may reducethe thickness of the force-distribution member 1114 to increase flexingin predetermined areas.

Referring to FIG. 7, other grooves, and/or cuts, and/or void shapes thatmay be formed into the force-distribution member 1114 include, but arenot limited to, parallel sided rectangular cuts 1216, curved cuts 1218,serpentine style cuts 1220, and voids 1222 of various shapes and sizes,which may be collectively referred to as interior cuts 1125, thatincrease flexibility of the force distribution member in predeterminedaxes. Cutting, forming, molding, punching, shaving, or otherwiseproviding for grooves, and/or cuts, and/or voids in theforce-distribution member 1114 is one mechanism for controlling flexingin predetermined portions of the force-distribution member 1114. Thenumber of grooves, and/or cuts, and/or voids 1116 in theforce-distribution member 1114 may be varied from one to many to achievethe desired axis and level of flexibility, and recoil forcedistribution. Similarly, the angle and location of grooves, and/or cuts,and/or voids 1116 in the force-distribution member 1114 may be varied toachieve the desired axis and level of flexibility, and recoil forcedistribution. Other mechanisms for controlling flexing in predeterminedportions of the force-distribution member are intended to be within thescope of this invention.

The force-distribution member 1114 shown in FIG. 6 includes a verticaledge 1130 and an angled edge 1132. In operable position, the verticaledge 1130 is oriented proximal to the shooter's neck. Consequently, theangled edge 1132 projects out over the shooter's shoulder, towards thearm. In this alterative embodiment of the present invention the cuts1116 are arranged to form inner tabs 1118 along all or a portion of thevertical edge 1130 of the force-distribution member 1114 and outer tabs1120 along all or a portion of the angled edge 1132 of theforce-distribution member 1114.

Because the tabs are attached to the remainder of the force-distributionmember 1114 in only one axis, the tab portion(s) 1118 have greaterflexibility along their length and can flex independently from theremainder of the force distribution member 1114.

FIG. 8 represents a frontal view of the force-distribution member 1114disposed on the cushioned portion 104 of user 102 in operable position1000. The force-distribution member 1114 is configured to approximatelyconform to the general shape of the cushioned portion 104 of user 102.It should be noted that the embodiment of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 8 is provided for the sake of clarity and is anon-limiting example. In the alternative embodiment of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 8, the inner tabs 1118 are shaped along thedashed line 1134 such that, in operable position, the inner tabs 1118protrude generally outward from the user 102, and more specifically theinner tabs protrude outward and away from the shooting shoulder 108 ofthe user. Alternatively, the inner tabs 1118 may be angled or curvedupward from the front surface 1115 of the force-distribution member 1114to an angle, compound angle, or arc approximately between ten (10)degrees and ninety (90) degrees. For the purposes of this disclosure, anangle, compound angle, or arc will be collectively referred to as anangle. In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, one ormore of the tabs may be shaped at different angles. As a non-limitingexample, the inner tabs 1118 may be shaped such that the inner tabs 1118approximately follows the angle formed at the juncture of the shooter'sneck and shoulder. Also alternatively, the force-distribution member1114 may also be shaped along dashed line 1135 such that the portion1137, delineated by dashed lines 1134 and 1135, generally protrudes awayfrom the user 102 such that in operable position the force-distributionmember generally conforms to the cushioned portion 104 of the user'sshoulder when in operable position 1000. In some embodiments of thepresent invention the outer tabs 1120 can be formed to generallyprotrude outward from the user at an angle approximately between ten(10) degrees and ninety (90) degrees. In some embodiments of the presentinvention, one or more of the tabs 1118 and/or tabs 1120 may be shapedat different angles. In another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention the force distribution member 1114 has the same overall shapeas illustrated in FIG. 8, but instead with edges that are entire with notabs formed therein. For this alternative embodiment of the presentinvention the grooves 1116 are eliminated.

In additional alternative embodiments of the present invention, theforce-distribution member 1114 is configured to approximately conform tothe vertical contour of the cushioned portion 104 of the user 102, whichis illustrated by the dashed line 1136. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the outer tabs 1120 extend generally outward andapproximately parallel to the users front side 106.

All configurations of the present invention, wherein part or all of theedges 1130 and 1132 of the force-distribution member 1114 are formed toangle away from the recoil-receiving cushioned portion 104 of the user'sshoulder, are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Allconfigurations of the present invention wherein a portion of, or all ofthe force-distribution member 1114 is formed to approximately conform tothe contours of the cushioned portion 104 of the user's shoulder arewithin the scope of this invention.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a recoil reducer 1100 in operable position1000 on the user 102 (represented by the dotted line), comprised of theforce-distribution member 1114, and a compressible member 1118. Theinner tabs 1118, which may be defined by the grooves (or cuts) 1116 inthe force-distribution member 1114, are shown protruding away from thefront surface 1115 of the recoil distribution member 1114. The verticalaxis of the recoil reducer 1100 is formed to follow the contour of theshooter's shoulder. The compressible member 118 cushions the shooter 102against the backward thrust of a recoiling object. The compressiblemember 118 can be made from a variety of materials that elasticallydeform under pressure, including, but not limited to, Poron(manufactured by Rogers Corporation), other high density Ployurethanefoams, low density Polyurethane foams, Urethane foams, Ethylene VinylAcetate foam, Nitrile Vinyl foams, Vinyl foams, Polyvinylchloride foams,neoprene foams, rubber foams, and other closed or open celled foams,soft rubber, or materials with viscoelastic properties. The compressiblemember 118 may be of uniform or varying thickness and may be constructedof one or multiple pieces with differing thicknesses, densities, andcompression and rebound characteristics. Alternatively, the compressiblemember 118 can generally conform to the contour of the cushioned portion104 of the shooter's shoulder. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, the compressible member 118 can generally conform to theshape of the force-distribution member 1114. The thickness of thecompressible member 118 can also be varied to suit specificapplications. The total thickness of the compressible member 118 willrange from less than 0.100″ to 1.50″ or more.

As illustrated by FIG. 1, the surface area of a butt stock of a longarmrepresented by the dashed line 110 is smaller than the surface area ofthe force-distribution member 114. In some embodiments, the surface areaof the compressible member 118 is approximately the same as the surfacearea of the force-distribution member 114.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present inventionwherein all or a portion of the surface area of the compressible member118 is greater than the surface area of the force-distribution member114.

FIG. 11 illustrates an additional alternative embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the surface area of the compressible member 118 isless than the surface area of the force-distribution member 114. Allembodiments wherein the surface area of the compressible member 118 isgreater than, equal to, or less than the surface area of theforce-distribution member 114 are intended to be within the scope ofthis invention.

FIG. 12, a cross-sectional view seen from above, illustrates a preferredembodiment of the present invention wherein the surface area of thefirst compressible member 118 is smaller than the force-distributionmember 114 and a second compressible member 119 is larger than theforce-distribution member 114. In operable position, compressible member119 is positioned against the shooter's shoulder, and force-distributionmember 114 receives the butt stock of the longarm. All embodiments withmore that one compressible member 118, one or more of which differs insize and/or shape from the others is intended to be within the scope ofthis invention. All embodiments with more that one compressible member,wherein one or more of the compressible members differs from the othersin material, thickness, cushioning and rebound characteristics areintended to be within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 12 also illustrates a preferred embodiment where both the innertabs 1118 and the outer tabs 1120 are formed to generally protrudeoutward from the user at an angle approximately between ten (10) degreesand ninety (90) degrees. In some embodiments of the present invention,one or more of the tabs 1118 and/or tabs 1120 may be shaped at differentangles.

The force-distribution member 114, in conjunction with the compressiblemember 118, distributes the recoil force over a surface area greaterthan the impinging portion of the recoiling longarm (see FIG. 1, wherethe dashed line 110 represents the surface area of the butt stock, whichis the portion of the longarm that delivers recoil force to the shooter102, when the longarm is discharged.). The recoil-reducer 100distributes the recoil force from the discharging longarm over a surfacearea greater than the surface area of the butt stock of the longarm.Consequently, the shooter 102 receives a smaller force applied per unitarea when using the recoil-reducer 100. The end of a butt stock istypically an elongated oval shape, with an area of 4 to 6 square inchesfor longarms normally used by youths and an area of 6 to 12 squareinches for longarms normally used by adults. A child's model of therecoil-reducer 100 typically ranges from an area of approximately 9square inches to approximately 20 square inches. For a model used by anadult, the surface area of the recoil-reducer 100 typically ranges fromapproximately 17.5 square inches to approximately 75 square inches ormore. Typically, the minimum ratio between the surface area of anadult-sized recoil-reducer 100 and the surface area of an adult sizedbutt stock of a longarm is approximately 1.5, and the minimum ratiobetween youth sized recoil-reducers and youth sized longarms is alsoapproximately 1.5.

Because the recoil reducer 100 is interposed between the butt stock andthe shooter, the firearm must be extended by the thickness of the recoilreducer 100 from the shooter. Thus, the thinner the total thickness ofthe recoil reducer 100 the more convenient it is to use. Typically, thethickness of the recoil reducer 100, including the pouch 112, wouldrange from an approximate minimum of 0.125 inch to an approximatemaximum of 3.00 inches or more. In this way, by using the samefundamental principles the present invention can be fashioned in athin-flexible configuration to suit the needs of high volume-low recoiluser up to a virtually rigid-maximum thickness configuration for usersof heavy recoiling firearms.

All configurations wherein one or more of the components of therecoil-reducer 100 are of uniform thickness are intended to be withinthe scope of this invention. All configurations wherein one or more ofthe components of the recoil-reducer 100 are of varying thickness arealso intended to be within the scope of this invention

All configurations wherein one or more of the components of therecoil-reducer 100 are flat are intended to be within the scope of thisinvention. All configurations wherein one or more of the components ofthe recoil-reducer 100 are shaped to conform to the contours of thecushioned portion 104 of the user's body are also intended to be withinthe scope of this invention. All configurations wherein one or more ofthe components of the recoil-reducer 100 are shaped to conform to thecontours of the recoil-imparting device (e.g., butt stock) are intendedto be within the scope of this invention.

All configurations wherein the components of the recoil-reducer 100 arefixedly attached to each other are within the scope of this invention.All configurations wherein the components of the recoil-reducer 100 arenot fixedly attached to each other are also within the scope of thisinvention.

All configurations wherein the compartment of the pouch 112 ispermanently closed are within the scope of this invention. Allconfigurations wherein the compartment of the pouch 112 is temporarilyclosed are within the scope of this invention. All configurationswherein the compartment of the pouch 112 is open are within the scope ofthis invention.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention therecoil-reducer 100 is removably attached to or suspended from the buttof a gun.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred”, “exemplary”, or“alternative” embodiments disclosed herein, are merely possible examplesof implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of theprinciples of the invention. Many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention.It should also be appreciated that any particular embodiment may includeonly some of the various aspects of the present invention. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and the present invention.

1. A recoil reducing device comprising: a force-distribution memberhaving a force surface area that is substantially greater than the givensurface area of a recoil imparting end of a longarm's butt stock, andwherein the force-distribution member is configured to approximatelyconform to a shooting shoulder of a user; and a compressible memberhaving a compressible surface area that is substantially greater thanthe given surface area of the recoil imparting end of a longarm's buttstock.
 2. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the forcesurface area of the force-distribution member ranges in size ofapproximately 1.5 times to 12.5 times greater than the given surfacearea of the recoil imparting end of the butt stock.
 3. The recoilreducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution memberincludes a polycarbonate thermoplastic.
 4. The recoil reducing device ofclaim 1, wherein the compressible member includes a urethane foam. 5.The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein: the force-distributionmember includes an edge, the edge formed to protrude away from theshooting shoulder of the user; and the force-distribution memberincludes a plurality of tabs along a portion of the edge.
 6. The recoilreducing device of claim 1, wherein; the force-distribution memberincludes an edge the edge formed to protrude away from the shootingshoulder of the user; and the force-distribution member includes aplurality of grooves along a portion of the edge.
 7. The recoil reducingdevice of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution member includes aninterior cut.
 8. The recoil reducing device of claim 5, wherein at leastone of the tabs is bent at an angle approximately in the range of 10degrees to 90 degrees relative to a front surface of the forcedistribution member.
 9. The recoil reducing device of claim 5, wherein:the force-distribution member includes a second edge; and the secondedge includes a second plurality of tabs.
 10. The recoil reducing deviceof claim 9, wherein with the recoil reducing device in an operableposition, at least a tab of the second plurality of tabs extends in adirection generally towards the shooting shoulder of the user.
 11. Therecoil reducing device of claim 9, wherein with the recoil reducingdevice in operable position, at least a tab of the second plurality oftabs extends generally outward from the front of the user.
 12. Therecoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distribution memberhas a thickness in the range of approximately 0.015 inch to 1 inch. 13.The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the compressible memberhas a thickness in the range of approximately 0.1 inch to 3 inches. 14.The recoil reducing device of claim 1, wherein the force-distributionmember has a D790 flexural modulus in the range of approximately 15,000psi. to 700,000 psi.
 15. The recoil reducing device of claim 1, whereinthe force-distribution member and the compressible member are coupledtogether to form a coupled force-distribution member and compressiblemember.
 16. The recoil reducing device of claim 15, wherein theforce-distribution member is coupled to the compressible member by anadhesive.
 17. The recoil reducing device of claim 15, further including:an outer member that substantially covers the coupled force-distributionmember and compressible member.
 18. The recoil reducing device of claim17, wherein the outer member comprises a pouch, the pouch defines agenerally hollow interior, and at least a portion of the coupledforce-distribution member and compressible member is receivable into thegenerally hollow interior of the pouch.
 19. The recoil reducing deviceof claim 1, further including an outer member that covers a substantialportion of the force-distribution member and the compressible member.20. The recoil reducing device of claim 19, wherein: the outer membercomprises a pouch, the pouch defines a generally hollow interior; and atleast a portion of the force-distribution member and at least a portionof the compressible member are receivable into the hollow interior ofthe pouch.
 21. A recoil reducing device for reducing the recoil felt bya user of a longarm, the longarm including a butt stock, the butt stockincluding a recoil imparting end having a given surface area, the recoilreducing device comprising: a force-distribution member having a surfacearea that is substantially greater than the given surface area of therecoil imparting end of the butt stock, the force-distribution memberconfigured to approximately conform to a shoulder of the user, and theforce-distribution member including an edge that protrudes away from theuser; a compressible member coupled to and abutted to theforce-distribution member, the compressible member having a surface areathat is substantially greater than the given surface area of the recoilimparting end of the butt stock; and an outer member that covers asubstantial portion of the force-distribution member and thecompressible member.
 22. The recoil reducing device of claim 21,wherein: the force-distribution member includes a first portion, asecond portion, and a central portion, the first portion having a firstplurality of tabs, the second portion having a second plurality of tabs,and the central portion extending between the first portion and thesecond portion; and at least one tab of the first plurality of tabs isbent outward, relative to the shoulder of the user, from the centralportion.